A Cedartown man has been arrested and charged in connection with an earlier accident that seriously injured a six year old child. The girl was struck by an eighteen wheeler while riding a bicycle near her home in the area of South Cave Spring Street in Cedartown.
The driver of the rig did not stop to render aid. It was determined that the impact occurred on the rear back tires of the trailer. It was unknown at the time if the driver was aware that he had even hit the child.
Police interviewed witnesses in the area that provided information regarding the incident and about the eighteen wheeler. Tassells from the bicycle handlebars were photographed as they were strewn about the street.
A supervisor from nearby H & W Transfer, located at 404 Furnace Street met with officials on the scene.
A driver that was at the H & W Transfer company lot advised police that he had been at the company location for approximately fifteen to twenty minutes before the officers arrived and was dropping his trailer and doing his end of day inspection. The driver was transported to Polk ER for drug and alcohol testing.
Billy Sims of Cedartown was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident, serious injury by a vehicle and obstruction. All of the above charges are misdemeanors.
The child, six year old Zyliyah Washington, was life-flighted to Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta. According to family members who have posted on the Polk County Crime Examiner Facebook page, the little girl underwent one surgery and a blood transfusion. Her bladder has been repaired and she is on a ventilator due to not breathing on her own yet. She has a broken pelvis and a broken leg. She is in stable but critical condition. She is still facing a second surgery.
Related article: (six year old struck by eighteen wheeler)
Click on the link below and scroll down to view H & W Transfer's safety measurement system data. (updated September 2011).
Arrest reports for Polk County, Georgia do not reflect the guilt or innocence of the individuals listed. All parties are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Not every arrest/charge leads to a conviction. A conviction or acquittal is determined by the court system.
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